Tash Tash

An oasis of old Tblisi exists in downtown Tel Aviv and the majesty of the steppes and romance of one of Eurasia’s oldest cultures comes to 21st century life in the beating heart of the Bauhaus city. Gil Karpas talks to the man behind the music of “Tash Tash”.

If you think his music is purely traditional, then think again; Mickey is a contemporary fusionist, taking the existing framework of Georgian music and mixing it with contemporary beats and an unparalleled live show. The end result is a decadent night where people truly unwind, joining in the show and enjoying Mickey's extravagant gestures where there is no stage separating the crowd from the show or the performer from the audience. - Gil Karpas, TimeOut

Tash-Tash – This name is getting increasingly popular in Israel, especially in clubs and disco parties. “My little revolution in turning Georgian music into a nationwide phenomenon in Israel is striking waves and bringing joy to the lives of people. It attracts more and more fans every year. – Tash-Tash (Mickey Mirel) talked with Georgian Journal about his works and his love for everything Georgian.

"I have performed more than 1,000 times in different venues all over Israel and the audience always goes crazy over my Georgian Party show."

“I take great pride in my achievement of becoming the first singer from the Georgian – Israeli community to bring out our incredible music to the broader audience in Israel. This audience has responded with great enthusiasm and love.
I come from an emigrant family from Georgia. I danced Georgian ballet as a child, but also grew up as part of the MTV generation. I was already a DJ at 16. My music has a unique sound, which is not trying to copy anybody or anything. I have managed to combine the ethnicity and passion of the Georgian folk music with a new innovative aesthetic, which exists in today’s pop music.

“I have managed to make Israelis see Georgian music as passionate, full of joy and wild.”

I have performed more than 1,000 times in different venues all over Israel and the audience always goes crazy over my Georgian Party show. I have managed to make Israelis see Georgian music as passionate, full of joy and wild. I wish to do the same in other places in the world. Maybe it’s too big of a fantasy, but I believe that people are not likely to refuse a great party.”

– What can you say about your Georgian origins? How do you remember the time you spent here in Georgia?

geotv.ge– I grew up with Georgians, so it was natural that I spoke Georgian before I could speak Hebrew. I equally regard myself as Georgian as I do Israeli. I am very proud of Georgian culture. This is my heritage and origin. I’m dazzled by anything related to Georgian culture and not just music: the wonderful food, wine and chacha, manners and cultural behavior, customs and traditional clothing. I watch and admire Georgian cinema, and of course the greatest pride is in the Georgian dance.
My last visit was two years ago with my wife and it definitely was an amazing experience that I would like to repeat. We spent a week in Tbilisi and then traveled from Kakheti to Adjara. We planned to spend the last week in Batumi but then we discovered the magical village of Kvariati and stayed there.
During our trip I visited the house where my parents were born and raised (in the town of Zestaponi and our village Kulashi), I got to see amazing performances, including a festival of choir and dance groups of all ages, from all over Georgia. I saw an amazing show by Georgian band Mgzavrebi.
I visited beautiful places and met wonderful warm people and was amazed by the beauty of Georgian women. The friend who showed us around first tried to take us to luxurious tourist places but that wasn’t our thing. Later he realized we were looking for authentic local places. Finding these spots made the trip become absolutely dreamy.

– Are you aware about what happens in Georgia, do you keep an eye on things?

– I am involved in your current events, politics, and in show business in general. I can easily name more than 50 of your best musicians from different times. Singers I personally had the chance to meet at shared event performances are: Dato Kenchiashvili, Leila Todadze and Gia Suramelashvili, whom I promised to visit at his restaurant. I would be honored to meet and produce music with Nino Chxeidze, Khvicha Maglakelidze and the band Bani. There are some other interesting musicians on my list as well.

– Are you going to perform in Georgia as well?

– I’m planning to come to Georgia for a performance. There are some options we are looking into. If our schedule permits, I will happily bring a microphone and DJ table, pass from town to town and create a great wild party there.
This spring I will be releasing a new single in Georgian, at your local radio stations. I hope you will like it. - Manana Gabrichidze, Georgian Journal